Bulgarian Football Club President Shot Dead Near His Home as Police Investigate

Iliyan Filipov, the president of Bulgarian top-flight football club Botev Plovdiv and a prominent businessman, was shot dead in the city of Plovdiv early Wednesday, September 30, according to Bulgarian authorities and international news reports.

Police received a report of a man wounded by gunfire at around 1 a.m. local time. Officers arrived at the scene and confirmed that Filipov had died from his injuries.

Filipov, 53, was the founder and manager of PIMK, a major Bulgarian transport and logistics company. He was also the president of Botev Plovdiv and had been involved in the reconstruction of the club’s Hristo Botev Stadium.

Police Launch Investigation

Authorities immediately began a pretrial investigation into the killing. Police blocked several entry and exit points in Plovdiv while investigators examined the crime scene and searched for evidence.

Plovdiv District Prosecutor Vanya Hristeva said investigators were pursuing all possible leads. At the time of the initial reports, authorities had not publicly established a motive for the shooting.

Bulgarian state broadcaster BNR later reported that a 51-year-old man, described as a former employee of one of Filipov’s companies, had been detained in Sofia in connection with the investigation. BNR reported that police had not yet officially confirmed whether he was the person responsible for the killing.

A Prominent Figure in Bulgarian Football and Business

Filipov was a well-known figure in Plovdiv through both his business activities and his role at Botev Plovdiv. His death has drawn significant attention in Bulgaria, particularly among supporters of the football club.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not publicly announced a final motive or confirmed any criminal responsibility for the detained man. Any allegations against a suspect will have to be established through the legal process.

Sources

• Associated Press — “A Bulgarian soccer club president is shot dead at his home” — September 30, 2026.
• Reuters — “Bulgarian football club owner Iliyan Filipov shot dead, BNR reports” — September 30, 2026.
• Radio Bulgaria (BNR) — “Bulgarian businessman Iliyan Filipov shot dead in Plovdiv” — September 30, 2026.
• BNR — “A suspect in the murder of Iliyan Filipov detained in Sofia” — September 30, 2026.